New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) educator Wayne Marsters is pleased with the level of understanding shown by the local coaches in the World Rugby accredited course he conducted earlier in the week.

On Monday, the Cook Islander ran a formal classroom session with 13 coaches, including a female, at the CISNOC office.

The course, which is the foundation for Level Two rugby 15s, is supported by New Zealand Rugby Union.

Marsters said the local mentors had a good understanding of coaching techniques.

“I was really impressed. There is a really good understanding of the principles of rugby that we covered during the session,” said Marsters, who works for NZRU as the regional coach development manager in Central (Wellington and Wairarapa Bush).

“They had a very good understanding of what an effective training session looks like (and) principles of attack and defence, among other areas.”

Marsters said Monday’s session was the first stage of the ongoing process that will see him return in the near future to ensure the coaches remain consistent with his teaching.

“Most of the time (during the course) is spent with coach development and we are going to lots of training sessions to ensure things that are taught are being put into practice,” he said.

“We are here primarily to help coaches develop and if we can develop great coaches then we can develop great players. This is not just a one visit shot-in-arm kind of thing, we will follow it up to see there is a continuity.”

Marsters will also be present at this Saturday’s Rarotonga Club 15s semifinals between Takuvaine Reds and Avatiu Nikao Eels and Tupapa Panthers and Arorangi Cowboys, to see the progress made by the coaches.

Cook Islands Rugby Union development manager Ben Koteka said the course was a timely boost, especially for those coaches preparing for the competition playoffs.

He said the focus this week had been on laying a solid foundation to ensure the coaches progress constantly to new levels.

Meanwhile, Marsters will run a strength and conditioning workshop with the participants tomorrow.

He thanks Island Car and Bike Hire for providing his transport in Rarotonga and Air Rarotonga for flying over an Aitutaki-based coach to attend the workshop.

Marsters, who previously worked in the Canterbury region and overseas in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), has a strong rugby Sevens and strength and conditioning background.

He is of Cook Islands heritage, with links to the island of Palmerston. He is the son of well-known boxing coach Papa Tom Marsters who resides in Tupapa.

For information regarding the upcoming coaching session, contact Ben Koteka mobile 54469 or email:
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